Illinois PE license renewal and CE requirements

Last checked September 29, 2026. Facts marked “checked against” were read in the rule text on that date. The rest come from the same rule tables and aren’t yet confirmed with the board. Confirm anything you act on with the board. Not legal advice.

Quick answer

Next deadline: November 30, 2027.
Cycle: All PE licenses expire on November 30 of odd-numbered years and renew every two years (SE licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years).
CE: 30 PDH every two years, including at least 1 hour in the state’s laws and rules and at least 1 hour in ethics. Checked against 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.325(a)(1), September 27, 2026
Firm: Firms need a firm registration (COA).
Renew with: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), State Board of Professional Engineers. Fees: see the board’s renewal page.

Renewal cycle and late renewal

All PE licenses expire on November 30 of odd-numbered years and renew every two years (SE licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years). Checked against 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.310(a); 1380.325(a)(4), September 27, 2026

Look up each engineer’s current expiration date on the board’s license lookup rather than trusting an old spreadsheet. Our tables don’t record Illinois’s late-renewal or reinstatement rules, so check them with the board before a date passes.

Continuing education (PDH)

Hours: 30 PDH every two years. Fixed statewide biennium. All PE licenses expire November 30 of each odd-numbered year. The prerenewal period is the 24 months before that date. Checked against 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.325(a)(1), September 27, 2026
The state’s laws and rules: At least 1 hour on Illinois statutes and 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380 that regulate PEs, each prerenewal period (since the November 30, 2023 renewal). Checked against 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.325(a)(2)(A), September 27, 2026
Ethics: At least 1 hour in professional conduct and/or ethics, each prerenewal period. Checked against 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.325(a)(2)(B), September 27, 2026
Also required: One hour of sexual harassment prevention training that meets 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1130.400 is part of the 30 PDH each renewal (since the November 30, 2021 renewal). Required by 20 ILCS 2105/2105-15.5. It cannot come from carryover.
Limits on some activities: professional society service (at most 8) hours.
Carryover: Up to 15 qualifying PDH earned within the last six months before the renewal deadline, and not used for that renewal, may carry to the next period. Carryover cannot cover the laws and rules, ethics, or sexual harassment hours. Carried hours must be documented on the Department form. Checked against 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.325(a)(8), September 27, 2026
New licensees: Exempt at the first renewal: a licensee does not report CE for the first biennial renewal period in which he or she was first licensed in Illinois. The full requirement applies after that. Checked against 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.325(j)(1), September 27, 2026
Reporting: Licensee certifies full compliance on the renewal application. IDFPR runs random audits and may ask for the records. Checked against 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.325(h), September 27, 2026
Records: Keep PDH records for 6 years: certificates or provider transcripts with sponsor, hours, date, place and subject. A log alone is not accepted. Checked against 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.325(d), September 27, 2026

Firm rule

A firm offering engineering in Illinois needs its own credential from the board: Professional Design Firm (PDF) registration. Any business that practices or offers engineering must register as a Professional Design Firm. A sole proprietor PE working under his or her own real name is exempt; one using an assumed name must register.

Firm renewal: Professional Design Firm registrations expire April 30 of odd-numbered years (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.310(c)).

Checked against official sources, September 29, 2026 225 ILCS 325/23 (professional design firm registration; sole proprietor rule; managing agent; 10 business days notice and 30 days to replace); 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.290 (managing agent must be a regular full-time employee; one firm per managing agent); 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1380.300 (do not seal work outside competence).

See the Illinois guide’s firm section for qualifier and A/E rules, and what to do when your qualifying engineer gives notice.

What changed recently

Nothing recorded in our tables as of September 29, 2026. Boards change rules, so check the board’s news page before each renewal.

Illinois PE renewal questions

When do Illinois PE licenses renew?

All PE licenses expire on November 30 of odd-numbered years and renew every two years (SE licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years). The next statewide deadline in our tables is November 30, 2027. Check each engineer’s own date on the board’s license lookup.

How many PDH does a Illinois PE need?

30 PDH every two years, including at least 1 hour in the state’s laws and rules and at least 1 hour in ethics.

Can extra PDH carry over in Illinois?

Up to 15 qualifying PDH earned within the last six months before the renewal deadline, and not used for that renewal, may carry to the next period. Carryover cannot cover the laws and rules, ethics, or sexual harassment hours. Carried hours must be documented on the Department form.

Does an engineering firm need a COA in Illinois?

Yes. A firm offering engineering in Illinois needs its own credential from the board: Professional Design Firm (PDF) registration. Any business that practices or offers engineering must register as a Professional Design Firm. A sole proprietor PE working under his or her own real name is exempt; one using an assumed name must register.

Does SealBench renew licenses or report PDH to the Illinois board?

No. SealBench tracks each engineer’s dates and PDH against this state’s rule and shows what’s due next. The engineer renews and certifies CE with the board.

Track Illinois PE renewals and CE for your whole team in SealBench

Every engineer’s Illinois license and PDH, counted against this rule, next to every other state they hold and your firm’s COAs. One license is free; firms pay $12 a month for each licensed person. Start with a free Set Check on your next permit set.

Request a free Set Check

Sources

Last checked September 29, 2026. Rules change, so confirm the current rule with the board before you rely on it.

SealBench suggests who may seal each sheet and shows why. The licensed professional takes responsible charge and applies the seal. SealBench is not a law firm, does not give legal advice, and does not file anything with any board. Questions or corrections: support@sealbench.com.